Multi-purpose/multi-function portable electronic device which includes a display monitor and a scanner disposed below the display monitor and extending to cross the display monitor, and a base configured to support the scanner, the base including a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion at least partially vertically overlapping the display monitor and the scanner

ABSTRACT

A multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device is disclosed. In one aspect, the device may include a display monitor configured to display an image and a scanner disposed below the display monitor and extending to cross the display monitor, the scanner not directly contacting the display monitor. The device may also include a base configured to support the scanner, the base including a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the first portion at least partially vertically overlapping the display monitor and the scanner. The device may further include a speaker disposed only in the second portion of the base. The device may also include a connector physically interconnecting the base and the display monitor to support the display monitor, at least a portion of the connector vertically overlapping the second portion of the base.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of ProvisionalApplication Nos. 62/881,168 and 62/881,222, both filed on Jul. 31, 2019in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The described technology generally relates to multi-purpose andmulti-function electronic portable device.

Description of the Related Technology

Up until recently, pictures were generally produced as physical prints.Once a consumer was done viewing photo prints, the images were stored inboxes or transferred into a physical storage media (i.e. disks, USBdrive, etc.) using a traditional, stand-alone scanner. Furthermore, aportable information terminal such as a laptop, a tablet or a smartphonegenerally does not have a full scanner for scanning a document. Thus, auser is generally required to purchase a portable terminal and a scannerseparately, which increases space and price and decreases portability.

SUMMARY

For purposes of summarizing the described technology and the advantagesachieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of thedescribed technology are described herein. Not all such objects oradvantages may be achieved in any particular embodiment of the describedtechnology. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the described technology may be embodied or carried out in a mannerthat achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages astaught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantagesas may be taught or suggested herein.

One inventive aspect is a multi-purpose and multi-function electronicportable device, comprising a display monitor including a display screenconfigured to display an image and a rear surface opposite to thedisplay screen, a scanner disposed below the display monitor andconfigured to scan a document; the scanner including i) an elongatedcylindrical body extending to cross the display monitor such that theelongated cylindrical body at least partially vertically overlaps thedisplay monitor, ii) a first and a second touch pads respectivelydisposed on the first and second ends of the elongated cylindrical bodyopposing each other, and iii) a first and second light pipes surroundingthe first and second touch pads and configured to emit light indifferent colors, the first and second touch pads configured to controlthe first and second pipes to change the colors from one color toanother different color in response to sensing a touch on at least oneof the first and second touch pads; a base disposed below the scanner,the base including a planar portion and an inclined portion thicker thanthe planar portion; the planar portion at least partially verticallyoverlapping the display monitor and the elongated cylindrical body ofthe scanner; a speaker disposed only in the inclined portion of the baseand configured to output an audio sound; a scanner support extendingfrom the planar surface of the base toward the scanner and configured tosupport the scanner; a power source disposed in the base and configuredto supply power to the display monitor, the scanner and speaker; acurved connector extending from the scanner support and connected to therear surface of the display monitor, the curved connector configured toelectrically connect the power source to the display monitor, the curvedconnector curved to be concave with respect to the scanner and a portionof the rear surface of the display monitor, at least a portion of thecurved connector disposed directly above the speaker and the inclinedportion of the base, a lower portion of the curved connector curvedtoward the inclined portion of the base without contacting the inclinedportion of the base, an upper portion of the curved connector notvertically overlapping the planar portion of the base; and a controllerconfigured to control operations of at least one of the display monitor,the scanner, the first and second touch pads, the first and second lightpipes, the speaker or the power source, the first and second light pipesconfigured to emit light based on the audio sound output from thespeaker.

In certain embodiments, the first and second light pipes are configuredto emit light having an intensity proportional to a volume of the audiosound output from the speaker.

In certain embodiments, the display monitor is configured to rotatehorizontally and/or vertically.

In certain embodiments, the display monitor is configured to rotatevertically to convert between a vertical screen and a landscape screen.

In certain embodiments, the scanner comprises a document inletconfigured to receive a document to be scanned and a document outletconfigured to output a scanned document.

In certain embodiments, the document inlet is disposed closer to thedisplay monitor than the document outlet, and the document outlet isdisposed closer to the base than the document inlet.

In certain embodiments, the document inlet and the document outlet aredisposed to be parallel to the elongated cylindrical body.

In certain embodiments, the speaker has a semicircular shape.

In certain embodiments, the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device further comprises a handset disposed on the rearsurface of the display monitor.

In certain embodiments, the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device further comprises a handset disposed inside theelongated cylindrical body of the scanner.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the first and second touch padshas an opening configured to receive the handset.

In certain embodiments, the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device further comprises a proximity sensor configured tosense a presence of a user and/or a touch sensor configured to sense atouch on the portable electronic device.

In certain embodiments, the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device further comprises one or more device operation buttonsdisposed on at least one of the planar portion of the base or an outersurface of the elongated cylindrical body of the scanner.

In certain embodiments, one or more device operation buttons comprise atleast one of a power on/off button, a volume button, a brightnessbutton, a microphone on/off button, or a help button.

In certain embodiments, the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device further comprises at least one camera disposed on orincorporated into the display monitor.

The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of Claim 15,wherein the at least one camera comprises a front camera disposed on orincorporated into the display screen.

In certain embodiments, at least one camera further comprises a rearcamera disposed on or incorporated into the rear surface of the displaymonitor.

In certain embodiments, the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device further comprises a first antenna for short rangewireless communication and/or a second antenna for long range wirelesscommunication disposed in the display monitor.

In certain embodiments, the inclined portion of the base has a thicknessgradually increasing and gradually decreasing.

In certain embodiments, the inclined portion of the base directly facesa lower portion of the curved connector, and the lower portion of thecurved connector is curved such that a gap between the lower portion ofthe curved connector and the inclined portion of the base varies.

Another aspect is a multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronicdevice, comprising a display monitor including a display screenconfigured to display an image and a rear surface opposite to thedisplay screen; a scanner disposed below the display monitor, thescanner including a body extending to cross the display monitor and oneor more light pipes disposed on a side of the body and configured toemit light; a base disposed below the scanner, the base including aplanar portion and an inclined portion; the planar portion at leastpartially vertically overlapping the display monitor and the body of thescanner; a scanner disposed below the display monitor; the scannerincluding a body extending to cross the display monitor and one or morelight pipes disposed on a side of the body and configured to emit light;a speaker disposed in the inclined portion of the base and configured tooutput an audio sound; a scanner support extending from the planarportion of the base toward the scanner to support the scanner; a curvedconnector extending from the scanner support and connected to the rearsurface of the display monitor, at least a portion of the curvedconnector disposed directly above the speaker and the inclined portionof the base; and a controller configured to control operations of atleast one of the display monitor, the speaker or the scanner, the one ormore light pipes configured to emit light based on the audio soundoutput from the speaker.

In certain embodiments, the scanner further comprises at least one touchpad disposed on the side of the body and configured to emit light indifferent colors, the at least one touch pad configured to control theone or more light pipes to change the colors from one color to anotherdifferent color in response to sensing a touch on the at least one touchpad.

In certain embodiments, lower portion of the curved connector is curvedtoward the inclined portion of the base without contacting the inclinedportion of the base, and wherein an upper portion of the curvedconnector does not vertically overlap the planar portion of the base.

In certain embodiments, the inclined portion of the base directly facesa lower portion of the curved connector, and wherein the lower portionof the curved connector is curved such that a gap between the lowerportion of the curved connector and the inclined portion of the basevaries.

Yet another aspect is a multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronicdevice, comprising: a display monitor configured to display an image; ascanner disposed below the display monitor and extending to cross thedisplay monitor, the scanner not directly contacting the displaymonitor; a base configured to support the scanner, the base including afirst portion having a first thickness and a second portion having asecond thickness greater than the first thickness, the first portion atleast partially vertically overlapping the display monitor and thescanner; a speaker disposed only in the second portion of the base; anda connector physically interconnecting the base and the display monitorto support the display monitor, at least a portion of the connectorvertically overlapping the second portion of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the disclosure will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, thedisclosure will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough use of the accompanying drawings. Same reference numerals willbe used for same elements throughout the disclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are example perspective views of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device in accordancewith aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are example front, side and rear views of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device in accordancewith some aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are example front, side and rear views of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device in accordancewith other aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an example front perspective view of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of FIGS. 4A-4Cin accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example rear perspective view of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of FIG. 5 inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are example perspective views of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of FIG. 5 with adocument inserted for scanning in accordance with aspects of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is an example rear perspective view of the portablemulti-function/multi-purpose device of FIG. 5 with a handset housed onthe rear surface of the display monitor in accordance with aspects ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an example perspective view of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of FIG. 5 withthe handset removed in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows example front and rear perspective views of the handset ofthe multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device with functional buttons shown in accordance with someaspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example multi-function/multi-purposeportable electronic device with functional buttons shown in accordancewith other aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are example perspective views of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device with scannerdoors opened in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show different perspective views of the configurationof FIGS. 13A and 13B in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 15 is an example block diagram of a multi-function/multi-purposeportable electronic device in accordance with some aspects of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 16 is another example block diagram of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device in accordancewith other aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 17 is an example schematic diagram of the light pipes of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices of FIGS. 15 and16 in accordance with aspects of this disclosure,

FIG. 18 is an example schematic diagram of the proximity sensor of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices of FIGS. 15 and16 in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 19 is an example schematic diagram of the motion sensor of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices of FIGS. 15 and16 in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 20 is an example schematic diagram of the touch pad sensors of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of FIG. 16 inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 21 is an example schematic diagram of the touch pads of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device in accordancewith aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates sides, front, top, bottom and perspective views ofan example multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of this application. It will be evident, however, to oneof ordinary skill in the art that this device and its various functionsmay be operated for multiple purposes, not all enumerated herein.

As described in various example embodiments,multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices are describedherein. Although the example embodiments are described with respect to amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device for the purposeof convenience of description, the described technology can be appliedto a non-portable or stationary electronic device for multiple uses, notall enumerated herein.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are example perspective views of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 100 inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure. As illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, the device 100 can be embodied as a portable electronic device.The device 100 may include a display monitor 110, a front camera 112 anda rear camera 114, a scanner 120, a base 130, a speaker 132, a scannersupport 134, and a connector 140.

The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 100 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example, and can have different structures,shapes, configurations, and/or designs. Certain components may beremoved or others can be added. For example, the scanner support 134 maybe removed and/or the display screen 110 may have different designsand/or arrangements of input touch pads and/or buttons. The displaymonitor 110 may include a display screen (FIG. 1) configured to displayan image and a rear surface (FIG. 2) opposite to the display screen. Insome embodiments, the display monitor 110 may be configured to rotatehorizontally and/or vertically to be converted between a vertical screen(see FIGS. 1 and 2, for example) and/or a landscape screen (see FIGS.4A-9 and 11-14B, for example). The display screen of the display monitor110 can include one or more buttons (not shown) for controlling certaincharacteristics of the display monitor 110 such as contrast orbrightness, etc. The display monitor 110 may be a touch screen, or may,be operated by a handset 150 or activated by one or more sensors (to bedescribed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16). In someimplementations, the display monitor 110 may be configured to not accepttouch inputs. In these embodiments, the display monitor 110 may includeat least one of physical buttons, switches, dials, sliders, keys orkeypad, a navigation pad, and the like.

The display monitor 110 may be of any size and its orientation may beadjustable. For example, the angle between the connector 140 and thedisplay monitor 110 may be tilted up or down to allow for easier viewingof the display screen.

The scanner 120 may be disposed below the display monitor 110 andconfigured to scan a document. The scanner 120 can include an elongatedbody extending to cross the display monitor 110 such that the elongatedbody 110 can partially vertically, overlap the display monitor 110. Thebody of the scanner 120 may have a cylindrical shape. However, thescanner 120 may have other shapes.

The scanner 120 can also include one or more touch pads 127/129respectively disposed at either or both ends of the body of the scanner120. The scanner 120 may also include one or more light pipes 126/128surrounding the touch pads 127/129. The light pipes 126/128 may beconfigured to emit light in different colors in response to sensing atouch on one or more of the touch pads 127/129. For example, one or moreof the touch pads 127/129 may be configured to control the light pipes126/12.8 to change the colors from one color (e.g., blue) to anotherdifferent color (e.g., yellow) in response to sensing a touch on atleast one of the touch pads 127/129. The light pipes 126/18 may beattached to a different part of the scanner 120 or other components ofthe device 100. The light pipes 126/128 may be configured to emit lighthaving an intensity generally proportional (or disproportionate) to avolume of the audio sound output from the speaker 132. The lightintensity output from the light pipes 126/128 may not be related to avolume of the audio sound output from the speaker 132 and may berandomly output.

The scanner 120 may also include a document inlet 122 and a documentoutlet 24. The document inlet 122 may receive a document to be scanned.The document outlet 124 may output a document which has been scanned.For example, when a document sheet is inserted in the scanner inlet 122,the document image can be read and moved forward to the document outlet124, In some embodiments, the scanner 120 may include a single documentconvey path (or opening). For example, when a document is inserted inthe convey path for reading and the read operation is finished, thedocument may be reversed so that the document sheet is returned to theinsert position through the convey path. The document inlet 122 may bedisposed closer to the display monitor 110 than the document outlet 124.The document outlet 124 may be disposed closer to the base 130 than thedocument inlet 122. In some embodiments, the document inlet 122 and thedocument outlet 124 may be disposed to be substantially parallel to theelongated body of the scanner 120. In other embodiments, the documentinlet and outlets 122 and 124 may not be parallel to the elongated bodyof the scanner 120.

The base 130 may be disposed below the scanner 120. The base 130 mayinclude a planar portion and an inclined portion thicker than the planarportion. The planar portion may at least partially vertically overlapthe display monitor 110 and the elongated body of the scanner 120. Theinclined portion of the base 130 can gradually increase in thickness toprovide stability of the device 100. For example, the thicker inclinedportion may at least partially offset a front heavy configuration of thedevice 100 due to the relatively heavier components such as the displaymonitor 110 and the scanner 120 disposed at a front side (planarportion) of the base 130.

The speaker 132 may be disposed in the inclined portion of the base 130to provide better sound quality to users compared to being disposed inthe planar portion of the base 130 under the scanner 120. For example,the speaker 132 (disposed in the inclined portion) can provide moredirect audio output to a user (e.g., in an inclined direction to a user)compared to an audio output in a vertical direction when the speaker isdisposed in the planar portion. However, in some embodiments, at least aportion of the speaker 132 may be disposed in the planar portion of thebase 130. The speaker 132 may have a substantially semicircular shape inits cross-section.

The scanner support 134 may extend from the planar surface of the base130 toward the scanner 120 to support the scanner 120. The device 100may also include a power source (see FIGS. 15 and 16) configured tosupply power to the components of the device 100. The power source maybe disposed inside the base 130. The scanner support 134 may houseelectrical components for transferring power from the power supply tothe remaining components of the device 100.

The device 100 may also include a connector 140 extending from thescanner support 134 and connected to the rear surface of the displaymonitor 110. In some embodiments, the connector 140 may be curved. Inother embodiments, the connector may not be curved. In some embodiments,the connector 140 can be of any shape and form (i.e. a spiral wireconnector). Furthermore, the connector 140 may not be concave withrespect to the scanner 120 and the rear surface of the display monitor110. The connector 140 may be configured to electrically connect thepower source in the base 130 to the display monitor 110. The connector140 may be curved to be concave with respect to the scanner 120 and aportion of the rear surface of the display monitor 110. At least aportion of the connector 140 may be disposed directly above the speaker132 and the inclined portion of the base 130.

In certain embodiments, the inclined portion of the base 130 maydirectly face a lower portion of the connector 140. The lower portion ofthe connector 140 may be curved such that a gap between the lowerportion of the connector 140 and the inclined portion of the base 130varies (see, for example, FIG. 3B).

The front camera 112 may be disposed on the front side of the displaymonitor 110 and the rear camera 114 may be disposed on the rear surfaceof the display monitor 110. At least one of the front and rear cameras112 and 114 may be incorporated into the display screen of the displaymonitor 110. The front camera 112 can be a camera for performing aself-shooting function, and the rear camera 114 can be a camera forperforming a general shooting function such as a landscape. The cameras112 and 114 can be switched or activated manually, using a handset 150or automatically via motion sensors 734, proximity/light sensors 732,and/or touch pad sensors 162/164. In some implementations, one cameramay be used interchangeably to perform the multiple functions of thefront camera 112 and the rear camera 114.

Other components of the device 132 such as a controller (not shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) will be described with reference to the block diagrams ofFIGS. 15 and 16.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are example front, side and rear views of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 100 inaccordance with some aspects of this disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3B, alower portion of the connector 140 may be curved toward the inclinedportion of the base 130 without contacting the inclined portion of thebase 130. An upper portion of the connector 140 may not verticallyoverlap the planar portion of the base 130. In some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 3B, the device 100 may include a handset 150 disposedinside the elongated body of the scanner 120. In these embodiments, atleast one of the touch pads 127/129 may include an opening thereinconfigured to receive the handset 150. The handset 150 may be used tocontrol one or more components of the device 100.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are example front, side and rear views of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 200 inaccordance with other aspects of this disclosure. The device 200 mayinclude a display monitor 115 and the handset 150. The main differencesbetween the device 200 of FIGS. 4A-4C and the device 100 of FIGS. 3A-3Care the configuration of the display monitor and the position of thehandset 150. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3C, the displaymonitor 110 has a vertical configuration, whereas in the embodiment ofFIGS. 4A-4C, the display monitor 115 has a landscape configuration.Furthermore, the handset 150 of the device 100 is disposed in the bodyof the scanner 120, whereas the handset 150 of the device 200 isdisposed on the rear surface of the display monitor 115.

FIG. 5 is an example front perspective view of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 200 of FIGS.4A-4C in accordance with some aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example rear perspective view of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 200 of FIG. 5 inaccordance with some aspects of this disclosure. FIGS. 5 and 6 merelyshow different perspectives of the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device 200 of FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are example perspective views of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 200 of FIG. 5with a document 125 inserted for scanning in accordance with aspects ofthis disclosure. In certain implementation, the scanner 120 can includean opening door 158 on a top side of the scanner 120 and a closing door159 on a bottom side of the scanner 120 which are configured to open andclose when in use/not in use. The document 125 may be inserted into thedocument inlet 122 and output from the document outlet 124 once an uppercover 158 and a lower cover 159 of the scanner 120 are opened. Theopening/closing of the scanner doors 158/159 may be manual, automatic,voice or handset controlled.

FIG. 8 is an example rear perspective view of the portablemulti-function/multi-purpose device 200 with the handset 150 housed onthe rear surface of the display monitor 115 in accordance with aspectsof this disclosure. The handset 150 may be slid into a handsetaccommodation slot or groove 152 to be housed, and slid out of the slot152 to be removed therefrom.

FIG. 9 is an example perspective view of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 200 with thehandset 150 removed from the handset accommodation slot or groove 152 inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure. Although not shown in FIG.9, the handset 150 may be housed inside the body of the scanner 120 viaan opening formed in one or more of the touch pads 127/129 of thescanner 120 of the device 200.

FIG. 10 shows example front and rear perspective views of the handset150 of the multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 200in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. The handset 150 mayinclude a power on/off button 153 located on the side of the handset150, a speaker 155 and a microphone 157. FIG. 10 shows only examplelocations of the components 153, 155 and 157, and one or more of thecomponents 153, 155 and 157 can be disposed in other locations.Furthermore, other functional buttons or components (not shown) may alsobe disposed in the handset 150. The handset 150 may be configured toenable a user to control the device 100. For example, the handset 150may receive a user command using voice recognition. The handset 150 maybe hard-wired or wirelessly connected to the device 100 or an Internetcommunication device (not shown). The handset 150 may also include anantenna 154 for a long distance call (see FIG. 15). The handset may alsoinclude an antenna for short distance communication.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device 300 with some functional buttons shown in accordancewith some aspects of this disclosure. The device 300 may include one ormore functional buttons 136, 138 and 162-166. In some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 11, two of the functional buttons (136, 138) are disposedin the base 130 and three of the functional buttons (162-166) aredisposed in the body of the scanner 120. However, at least one of thetwo buttons 136 and 138 may be disposed in the scanner 120 or otherportions of the device 300. Furthermore, at least one of the threebuttons 162-166 may be disposed in the base 130. These operation buttons136, 138 and 162-166 may include a power on/off button, a volume button,a brightness button, a microphone on/off button, a help button and more.In some embodiments, other functional buttons may also be added. Inother embodiments, at least one of the buttons 136, 138 and 162-166 maybe removed. Furthermore, at least two of the buttons 136, 138 and162-166 may be combined into a single button. This may apply to theembodiment of FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example multi-function/multi-purposeportable electronic device 400 with functional buttons shown inaccordance with other aspects of this disclosure. The device 400 mayinclude one or more functional buttons 172-180. Although the buttons172-180 are disposed in the base 130, at least one of the functionalbuttons 172-180 may be disposed in the scanner 120 or other portions ofthe device 400.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are example perspective views of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 500 with scannerdoors opened in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIGS. 14Aand 14B show different perspective views of the configuration of FIGS.13A and 13B in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIGS. 13A and14A show that a top scanner door 158 is opened, and FIGS. 13B and 14Bshow that a main scanner door 123 is opened. These scanner doors 158 and123 may be used, for example, to remove jammed paper or replacecomponents that may be inside.

FIG. 15 is an example block diagram of a multi-function/multi-purposeportable electronic device 700 in accordance with some aspects of thisdisclosure. FIG. 16 is another example block diagram of amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 800 inaccordance with other aspects of this disclosure. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device 700 or 800 ismerely an example multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronicdevice, and certain elements may be modified or removed, and/or otherelements or equipment may be added. The block diagram of FIG. 15 or FIG.16 may be used to configure at least one of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices described abovewith respect to FIGS. 1-14B.

Each of the portable multi-function/multi-purpose devices 700 and 800can include a monitor section, a camera and sensor board 730, a basesection 130 and the handset 150. The monitor section can include adisplay monitor 110/115, a touchscreen and controller 111, a main board(a controller or processor) 710 and a microphone 750. The main board 710may also include an antenna 712 for short distance communication (suchas WiFi) and an antenna 714 for long distance communication (e.g., for along distance call). In some embodiments, the main board 710 may bepositioned in other locations such as the base 130 or the scanner 130instead of the display monitor 110/115.

The camera and sensor board 730 can include front and rear cameras112/114, a proximity sensor 732 and a motion sensor 734. The proximitysensor 732 may detect one or more of a user's proximity, presence orsurrounding light changes. The motion sensor 734 may detect motion of auser. For example, on a video call, one or more of the cameras 112/114may refocus to capture an image of a user or confirm an approachingobject size upon the sensors 732/734 detecting new or changed signals.

In certain embodiments, the proximity sensors 732 and light sensors 734can detect light from an object to determine proximity, detect location,direction of motion, or speed of objects relative to the device 700 or800. The motion sensor 734 may be configured to detect a force or touchapplied by a user and provide the device with command instructions.Signals from the sensors 732 and 734 may be used to activate/deactivatea display light, initiate commands, sense pressure and touch, or controldevice settings.

The scanner section of the device 700 of FIG. 15 may include the scanner120, one or more of the buttons 17Z-180 and left and right light pipes126/128. The scanner section of the device 800 of FIG. 16 may includethe scanner 120, left and right touch sensors 162/164 for sensing atouch on one or more of the touch pads 127/129, left and right lightpipes 126/128, and a driver 756 configured to drive the light pipes126/128.

The base section 130 of the device 700 of FIG. 15 may include a battery722, a speaker board 725 and the speaker 132. The speaker board 725 mayinclude a Li-ion charger IC 724 and an audio power amplifier & equalizer726 configured to drive the speaker 132 connected to a power adapter740.

The base section 130 of the device 800 of FIG. 16 may include thefunctional buttons 172-480, a Codec & AMP circuit 723, the speaker 132,and a power supply 780. The power supply 789 may include a battery 722,a battery charger IC 727 and a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) 728.

The main board 710 may control operations of at least one of thecomponents of the device 700 or 800, for example, the display monitor110/115, the scanner section, the camera & sensor hoard 730, and/or thebase section 130. For example, when the proximity sensor 732 or themotion sensor 734 detects no proximity and/or no motion, the main board710 may control power-consuming components of the device 700 or 800 suchas the display monitor 110/115 to move to a sleep mode or power savingmode. The main board 710 of the device 800 of FIG. 16 may be connectedto the touch screen & controller 111 and the scanner 120 via a hub 718.

FIG. 17 is an example schematic diagram of the light pipes 126/128 ofthe multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices 700/800 ofFIGS. 15 and 16 in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 17is merely an example circuit diagram of the light pipes 126/128, andcertain circuit elements may be modified or removed, and/or othercircuit elements or equipment may be added.

FIG. 18 is an example schematic diagram of the proximity sensor 732 ofthe multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices 700/800 ofFIGS. 15 and 16 in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 18is merely an example circuit diagram of the proximity sensor 732, andcertain circuit elements may be modified or removed, and/or othercircuit elements or equipment may be added.

FIG. 19 is an example schematic diagram of the motion sensor 734 of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices 700/800 ofFIGS. 15 and 16 in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 19is merely an example circuit diagram of the motion sensor 734, andcertain circuit elements may be modified or removed, and/or othercircuit elements or equipment may be added.

FIG. 20 is an example schematic diagram of the touch pad sensors 162/164for the touch pads 127/129 of the multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device 800 of FIG. 16 in accordance with aspects of thisdisclosure. As described above, at least one of the touch pad sensors162/164 may sense a touch on one or more of the touch pads 127/129. FIG.20 is merely an example circuit diagram of the touch pad sensors162/164, and certain circuit elements may be modified or removed, and/orother circuit elements or equipment may be added.

FIG. 21 is an example schematic diagram of the touch pads 127/129 of themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device in accordancewith aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 21 is merely an example circuitdiagram of the touch pads, and certain elements may be modified orremoved, and/or other elements or equipment may be added. One or more ofthe elements shown in FIGS. 17-21 may be included in at least one ff themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic devices described withrespect to FIGS. 1-16.

FIG. 22 illustrates sides, front, top, bottom and perspective views ofan example multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 22 shows a left sideview 222, a top view 224, a front view 226, a bottom view 228, a rightside view 230 and a perspective view 232.

Various disclosed embodiments can provide substantial benefits. Forexample, the described multi-purpose/multi-function portable electronicdevice include multiple functions such as scanning, a video call,Internet, short-distance and long distance communications, etc.Furthermore the device is lightweight so that a user can easily movearound it, for example, between a living room and a kitchen, a bedroomor other areas of a house or building (residential or commercial).Moreover, the device can be electrically or battery powered, wired orwirelessly connected to equip any user of average strength with thepower to transport the device as a whole, disassemble it for ease ofportability and easily, reassemble the device for use as intended.

Other Variations

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems,devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however,that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems,devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. The use ofparticular terminology when describing certain features or aspects ofthe disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to including any specificcharacteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with whichthat terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes can be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment areinterchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from adepicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments inany combination. For example, any of the various components describedherein and/or depicted in the figures can be combined, interchanged, orexcluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations can be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

Directional terms used herein (for example, top, bottom, side, up, down,inward, outward, etc) are generally used with reference to theorientation or perspective shown in the figures and are not intended tobe limiting. For example, positioning “above” described herein can referto positioning below or on one of sides. Thus, features described asbeing “above” may be included below, on one of sides, or the like.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein are generally intended as “open” terms (for example, theterm “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limitedto,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” theterm “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limitedto,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art thatif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, suchan intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims can contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (for example, “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted tomean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the useof definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition,even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isexplicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that suchrecitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recitednumber (for example, the bare recitation of “two recitations,” withoutother modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two ormore recitations).

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements; and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,”“about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent avalue, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value; amount, orcharacteristic that still performs a desired function and/or achieves adesired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”,“generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is withinless than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, withinless than 0.1% of, and/or within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.

It will be further understood by those within the art that anydisjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms,whether in the description, claims, or drawings, can be understood tocontemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either ofthe terms, or both terms, example, the phrase “A or B” will beunderstood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”Further, the term “each,” as used herein, in addition to having itsordinary meaning, can mean any subset of a set of elements to which theterm “each” is applied.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. The described functionalitymay be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, butsuch implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the embodiments of the invention.

The various illustrative blocks, modules, and circuits described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented orperformed with a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor(DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm and functions described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in acombination of the two. If implemented in software, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on atangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium. A software module mayreside in Random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory(ROM), Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CDROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. A storagemedium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can readinformation from, and write information to, the storage medium. In thealternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. Diskand disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer readable media. The processor andthe storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a userterminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium mayreside as discrete components in a user terminal.

The above description discloses embodiments of systems, apparatuses,devices, methods, and materials of the present disclosure. Thisdisclosure is susceptible to modifications in the components, parts,elements, steps, and materials, as well as alterations in thefabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thisdisclosure or practice of the disclosure. Consequently, it is notintended that the disclosure be limited to the specific embodimentsdisclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternativescoming within the scope and spirit of the subject matter embodied in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device, comprising: a display monitor including a displayscreen configured to display an image and a rear surface opposite to thedisplay screen; a scanner disposed below the display monitor andconfigured to scan a document, the scanner including i) an elongatedbody extending to intersect the display monitor such that at least aportion of the elongated body is directly below the display monitor, ii)first and second touch pads respectively disposed on first and secondends of the elongated body opposing each other, and iii) first andsecond light pipes surrounding the first and second touch pads andconfigured to emit light in different colors, the first and second touchpads configured to control the first and second light pipes to changethe colors from one color to another different color in response tosensing a touch on at least one of the first and second touch pads; abase disposed below the scanner, the base including a planar portion andan inclined portion thicker than the planar portion, the display monitorand the elongated body of the scanner at least partially verticallyoverlapping the planar portion of the base; a speaker disposed only inthe inclined portion of the base and configured to output audio sound; ascanner support extending from the planar surface of the base toward thescanner and configured to support the scanner; a power source disposedin the base and configured to supply power to at least one of thedisplay monitor, the scanner or the speaker; a curved connectorextending from the scanner support and connected to the rear surface ofthe display monitor, the curved connector configured to electricallyconnect the power source to the display monitor, the curved connectorcurved to be concave with respect to the scanner and a portion of therear surface of the display monitor, at least a portion of the curvedconnector disposed directly above the speaker and the inclined portionof the base, a lower portion of the curved connector curved toward theinclined portion of the base without contacting the inclined portion ofthe base, an upper portion of the curved connector not verticallyoverlapping the planar portion of the base; and a controller configuredto control operations of at least one of the display monitor, thescanner, the first and second touch pads, the first and second lightpipes, the speaker or the power source, the first and second light pipesconfigured to emit light based on the audio sound output from e speaker.2. The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim1, wherein the first and second light pipes are configured to emit lighthaving an intensity, proportional to a volume of the audio sound outputfrom the speaker.
 3. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the display monitor is configuredto rotate horizontally and/or vertically.
 4. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 3,wherein the display monitor is configured to rotate vertically toconvert between a vertical screen and a landscape screen.
 5. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,wherein the scanner comprises a document inlet configured to receive adocument to be scanned and a document outlet configured to output ascanned document.
 6. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 5, wherein the document inlet is disposedcloser to the display monitor than the document outlet, and wherein thedocument outlet is disposed closer to the base than the document inlet.7. The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim5, wherein the document inlet and the document outlet are disposed to besubstantially parallel to the elongated body.
 8. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,wherein the speaker has a semicircular shape in its cross-section. 9.The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,further comprising a handset disposed on the rear surface of the displaymonitor.
 10. The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic deviceof claim 1, further comprising a handset disposed inside the elongatedbody of the scanner.
 11. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first andsecond touch pads has an opening configured to receive the handset. 12.The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,further comprising a proximity sensor configured to sense a presence ofa user and/or a touch sensor configured to sense a touch on the portableelectronic device.
 13. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 1, further comprising one or more deviceoperation buttons disposed on at least one of the planar portion of thebase or an outer surface of the elongated body of the scanner.
 14. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 13,wherein the one or more device operation buttons comprise at least oneof a power on/oft button, a volume button, a brightness button, amicrophone on/off button, or a help button.
 15. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,further comprising at least one camera disposed on or incorporated intothe display monitor.
 16. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 15, wherein the at least one camera comprisesa front camera disposed on or incorporated into the display screen. 17.The multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 16,wherein the at least one camera further comprises a rear camera disposedon or incorporated into the rear surface of the display monitor.
 18. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,further comprising a first antenna for short range wirelesscommunication and/or a second antenna for long range wirelesscommunication disposed in the display monitor.
 19. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,wherein the inclined portion of the base has a thickness graduallyincreasing and gradually decreasing.
 20. Themulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device of claim 1,wherein the inclined portion of the base directly faces a lower portionof the curved connector, and wherein the lower portion of the curvedconnector is curved such that a gap between the lower portion of thecurved connector and the inclined portion of the base varies.
 21. Amulti-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device, comprising: adisplay monitor including a display screen configured to display animage and a rear surface opposite to the display screen; a scannerdisposed below the display monitor, the scanner including a bodyextending to intersect the display monitor and one or more light pipesdisposed on a side of the body and configured to emit light; a basedisposed below the scanner, the base including a planar portion and aninclined portion, the display monitor and the body of the scanner atleast partially vertically overlapping the planar portion of the base; aspeaker disposed in the inclined portion of the base and configured tooutput an audio sound; a scanner support extending from the planarportion of the base toward the scanner to support the scanner; a curvedconnector extending from the scanner support and connected to the rearsurface of the display monitor, at least a portion of the curvedconnector disposed directly above the speaker and the inclined portionof the base; and a controller configured to control operations of atleast one of the display monitor, the speaker or the scanner, the one ormore light pipes configured to emit light based on the audio soundoutput from the speaker.
 22. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 21, wherein the scanner further comprises atleast one touch pad disposed on the side of the body and configured toemit light in different colors, the at least one touch pad configured tocontrol the one or more light pipes to change the colors from one colorto another different color in response to sensing a touch on the atleast one touch pad.
 23. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 21, wherein a lower portion of the curvedconnector is curved toward the inclined portion of the base withoutcontacting the inclined portion of the base, and wherein an upperportion of the curved connector does not vertically overlap the planarportion of the base.
 24. The multi-function/multi-purpose portableelectronic device of claim 21, wherein the inclined portion of the basedirectly faces a lower portion of the curved connector, and wherein thelower portion of the curved connector is curved such that a gap betweenthe lower portion of the curved connector and the inclined portion ofthe base varies.